Eating Habits/Sunnah of the Beloved Prophet.

Islam clarifies us many good manners of eating and drinking. The Prophet (PBUH) made a point of developing extraordinarily clean and healthy eating habits among his followers. He asked the companions to

Wash their hands before and after.

Start eating with the praise of Allah.

Eat using the right hand.

Not to eat until they really felt hungry.

Not to eat and drink excessively.

Finally, by praising and thanking Allah for the food and drink, for making it easy to swallow and for producing an exit for it.

Eating, like any other deed of a Muslim, is a matter of worship when did according to the Islamic procedure. The following are SOME of the many food habits that had been adept and performed by the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him):

(1)Never Criticize Any Food

Food should not be critiqued for any reason, despite personal hating. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) never criticized any food that he was invited to.

“The Prophet (PBUH) never criticized any food , but he used to eat it if he liked the food, and leave it if he disliked it.”

– Sahih Bukhari

(2)Prayer Before Each Meal

Meanwhile eating, like any other action of a Muslim, it begins with the name of Allah.

Muslims are to start their eating by making the following prayer:

“O Allah! Bless the food you have bestowed upon us and protect us from the torment of hell. In the name of Allah we start.” (OR AT LEAST SAY…Bismillah)– An-Nisa’i

(3)Prayer after Each Meal

After finishing the meal, Muslims praise and thank Allah for the blessing that He granted upon them. After completing their meal, Muslims say the following prayer:

“Praise be to Allah the One Who gave us the food and the drinks. Praise be to Him Who made us Muslims.”(OR SAY..Al-Humdullilah)

(4) Less food

One of the main values of good health is a balanced diet. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) highlighted the habit of eating less as a method of stopping sickness and disease. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“Nothing is worse than a person who fills his stomach. It should be enough for the son of Adam to have a few bites to satisfy his hunger. If he wishes more, it should be: One-third for his food, one-third for his liquids, and one-third for his breath.”

– Tirmidhi & Ibn Majah

(5) Food slowly.

Eating gradually is recommended for health. Slow eating decreases the consumption of food, as it delays much of the meal to a time when the absorption of nutrients begins to produce physiological signs of satiety.

Eating food slowly helps in chewing the food well. This results in the exercise of the mouths and mixing of the saliva with food. Hence, effectual digestion takes place because the food parts are cut into smaller pieces, not requiring as much churning in the stomach or intestine.

(6)Moderation

The religion of Islam laid down the basis of eating regulations as well as the limits within which Islam teaches man to enjoy the desires of life, including food, not becoming a slave to his desires and not losing sight of his vital spiritual goal.

A Muslim is advised to avoid extremes and to choose a moderate course in all his matters, including his eating habits.

“O children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer; eat and drink, but waste not by excess. For Allah loves not the wasters.”

– Al- Qur’an, 7:31

(7)Sharing the food

The sharing of food with neighbors, relatives, the needy, friends, and the destitute is highlighted. Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying:

“He is not a believer who eats to his fill but his neighbor goes without food.”

_ Sahih Bukhari

“Prophet Muhammad gave details on the duty of the Muslim to defeat greed, particularly in eating. This looks in a very specific situation reported by Ibn Umar, in which the Prophet (PBUH) prohibited anyone taking two dates together before asking permission from his companions”

_(Sahih Bukhari).

(8)Eating food Together

Eating Habits/Sunnah of the Beloved Prophet.

Eating food with others bring about harmony and understanding among people. People are usually more comfortable when eating in company, this is one reason why relatives should always try to eat Together, not to mention this is the Sunnah of our Beloved Prophet (PBUH). Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) brought the attention of Muslims to the importance of meal together (Note: meal together’ here does not imply mixed eating by males and females at parties or banquets):

“Eat together and not separately, for the blessing is associated with the company.”

– Ibn Majah

It was also reported that he said,

“I do not eat reclining.”

_Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5083.

Eating Habits/Sunnah of the Beloved Prophet.

He often eat using the first three fingers (of his right hand), which is the best way of eating.

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